HOLLAND -- A popular Hope College professor died this morning from complications of childbirth, college representatives said.

Jennifer Young Tait died after giving birth to a premature but otherwise healthy son, Solomon, who is at DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, according to an email sent to Hope College staff Saturday by Provost Richard Ray.

"This is a tragedy for our campus," wrote Ray, asking for prayers for Young's family, colleagues, friends and students.

"Jenn was an absolute delight, and she will be sorely missed," Ray wrote. "May God bless her for all the good she did for each of us who knew and loved her."

Ray declined to comment, referring questions to college spokesman Tom Renner, who planned to have a statement later today.

The Holland professor is survived by her husband, Ralph Tait. A funeral is planned for 11 a.m. Friday at Grace Episcopal Church in Holland.

She joined the Hope faculty in 2002. Six years later, she received the "Hope Outstanding Professor Educator" (H.O.P.E.) Award by the graduating class of 2008, according to the college website.

Young Tait previously taught at Howard University, Touro College and the Center for Worker Education in New York City.

She held a Ph.D. from Howard University along with a bachelor's degree from Douglass College of Rutgers University and a master's from City College of CUNY of New York City.